Albania Newspaper Circulation on the Rise

Tirana _ The circulation of Albanian newspapers grew 7.14 percent in 2007 according to a survey by the World Association of Newspapers.

Elsewhere in the Balkans, circulation increased in Montenegro by 9 percent, while it decreased in Croatia by 6.25 percent and in Macedonia by 3.57 percent.

Newspaper circulation worldwide rose 2.5 percent in 2007 while rapid growth of both free titles and online platforms was expanding the reach of newspapers everywhere.

The association said global newspaper sales had increased 9.39 percent over the past five years.

When free dailies are added to the paid newspaper circulation, global circulation rose 3.65 percent in the last year, and 14.3 percent over the past five years.

Free dailies now account for nearly 7 percent of all global newspaper circulation and 23 percent in Europe alone.

In 2007 Albania saw the introduction of its first free daily newspaper, titled Agon.

“Newspaper circulation has been rising or is stable in three-quarters of the world's countries over the past five years and in nearly 80 percent of countries in the past year,” said Timothy Balding, the chief executive of the World Association of Newspapers.

“And even in places where paid-for circulation is declining, notably the United States and some countries in western Europe, newspapers continue to extend their reach through a wide variety of free and niche publications and through their rapidly developing multi-media platforms,” he added.